Before Andy Serkis’ take on The Jungle Book hits theaters (if it ever does?), you’ll have a chance to peep his directorial skills in another film: Breathe. The first trailer for Serkis’ inspiring drama, which will likely draw comparisons to The Theory of Everything, has arrived, touting a performance from Andrew Garfield that’s sure to put him in the mix for next year’s awards race.

Breathe checks off all the usual awards season boxes: Period drama, uplifting true story of white people overcoming personal tragedy, a male actor playing a character stricken by debilitating illness that prohibits his performative abilities — it’s all the stuff that typically impresses members of the Academy. Although…that could very well change with the recent addition of 774 new members to increase the voting group’s diversity, which means the chances of something like Breathe becoming an Oscar contender may no longer be as surefire as they once were.

Still, the trailer for Andy Serkis’ directorial effort, despite some glimpses of really lovely cinematography, looks like the kind of films we see every fall. Scripted by Oscar-nominated writer William Nicholson (Les Miserables), Breathe stars Garfield as Robin Cavendish, a man stricken by polio and paralyzed, left to live out his days in a hospital. Defying medical convention, Robin’s wife (The Crown’s Claire Foy) takes her husband home to care for him herself:

Andy Serkis (Jungle Book, Star Wars: The Force Awakens) makes his feature directorial debut with BREATHE. Based on a script by twice Academy Award-nominated writer William Nicholson (Everest, Les Misérables and Gladiator), BREATHE is an inspirational true story of love without limits.

Adventurous and charismatic, Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield - Hacksaw Ridge, Silence) has his whole life ahead of him when he is paralysed by polio whilst in Africa. Against all advice, Robin’s wife Diana (Claire Foy - Golden Globe Winner, The Crown, Wolf Hall) brings him home from hospital where her devotion and witty determination transcends his disability. Together they refuse to be imprisoned by his suffering; dazzling others with their humour, courage and lust for life. BREATHE is a heart-warming and highly emotional celebration of bravery and human possibility, a love story about living every breath as though it’s your last.

Based on the true story of producer Jonathan Cavendish’s own parents, BREATHE shows how Robin’s handling of and reaction to his illness had a huge impact on mobility and access for the disabled.

To be honest, Breathe looks handsome enough and I’m sure the performances are rather fine, but I’m more interested in seeing what Serkis — a total mo-cap master — does with his Jungle Book, which allegedly hits theaters next year.

Breathe also stars Hugh Bonneville and Diana Rigg, and hits theaters on October 13.